Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday announced that the state government has deposited Rs 5,000 into the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Women’s Entitlement scheme.

He said the move was intended to counter what he described as attempts by “vested interests” to freeze the scheme ahead of the upcoming Assembly election. In a video message posted on his social media platform X, Stalin said: “You would have received Rs 5,000 this morning. I have decided to provide the sum in view of an attempt (by vested interests) to freeze the scheme citing upcoming elections.”

Stalin added that the payment covers three months from February, and that an additional Rs 2,000 has been provided to help beneficiaries meet expenses during the summer.

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He also promised that the monthly grant under the scheme would be doubled if his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), is voted back to power. “Further, the monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 will be increased to Rs 2,000 once the DMK returns to power this year,” he said.

Stalin urged beneficiaries to use the funds carefully, particularly for their children’s education, medical needs or other essentials. “I appeal to the sisters to judiciously utilise the amount for the expenses towards the education needs of your children, buying medicine or other essentials that are required,” he said, expressing confidence that the DMK would win the election.

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